Belgium has passed a
landmark law granting sex workers the same
rights to maternity pay, pensions, and employment protections
as other workers.
On Sunday, the country’s lawmakers signed into law that ensures sex workers are treated as employees, entitling them to benefits such as maternity leave, pension contributions, and legal safeguards against
exploitation.
The decision is a result
of months of protests in 2022, prompted by the lack of state support for
sex workers during the Covid-19 pandemic.
The historic change aims to offer sex
workers greater legal recognition and workplace protections, marking a first for any country worldwide.
The law also extends significant protections
to sex workers, guaranteeing the right to refuse sexual partners,
specific acts, or to stop an act at any time.
In addition, employers of sex workers must meet
rigorous standards, including having a business address in
Belgium, maintaining a good character, and
ensuring premises are equipped with panic
buttons, clean linen,
showers, and condoms.
The Belgian Union of Sex Workers said the law is “a huge step forward, ending legal discrimination against
sex workers”.
Sophie, a sex worker in Belgium, disclosed that the new law is an “opportunity for us to exist as people”.
Erin Kilbride, a researcher at Human Rights Watch, said the law should be emulated by every country in the world.
“This is radical, and it’s the best step we have seen anywhere in the world so far. We need every country to be moving in that direction.”
